Louisville Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
By Tim Kaiser
2017 Louisville schedule and predictions
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
| 1 | Sept. 2 | vs. Purdue | Indianapolis, IN |
| 2 | Sept. 9 | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 3 | Sept. 16 | vs. Clemson | Louisville, KY |
| 4 | Sept. 23 | vs. Kent State | Louisville, KY |
| 5 | Sept. 30 | vs. Murray State | Louisville, KY |
| 6 | Oct. 5 | at NC State | Raleigh, NC |
| 7 | Oct. 14 | vs. Boston College | Louisville, KY |
| 8 | Oct. 21 | at Florida State | Tallahassee, FL |
| 9 | Oct. 28 | at Wake Forest | Winston-Salem, NC |
| 10 | BYE | ||
| 11 | Nov. 11 | Virginia | Louisville, KY |
| 12 | Nov. 18 | Syracuse | Louisville, KY |
| 13 | Nov. 25 | at Kentucky | Lexington, KY |
Final Thoughts
The ACC media voted Louisville to finish third in the ACC Atlantic division. Louisville garnered nine first place votes but still ended up well behind Florida State (121) and Clemson (9). Seven people voted Louisville to win the ACC Championship. Florida State was the overwhelming favorite at 118. Clemson had 35. Coastal teams Virginia Tech and Duke tied with three votes. Either Florida State or Clemson has won the last six ACC Titles.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Lamar Jackson is the main draw and driving force behind this team. The ACC media named the reigning Heisman Trophy winner the ACC Preseason Player of the Year and to the All-ACC Preseason Team.
The online sportsbook Bovada set Louisville’s win total at 9.5. ESPN’s FPI has the Cardinals finishing 8.6-3.5. For people unfamiliar, the gambling line is set on a half a win to draw action and avoid pushes. The FPI record is computer generated based on probabilities, so the most likely real record would be 9-3.
Louisville Cardinals Football
Prediction: 10-2, 6-2 ACC
Louisville could not have a better schedule in front of them. There is only one game on the schedule that they won’t be favored in — at Florida State. The Seminoles will be seeking revenge after getting embarrassed 63-20 last year.
Their non-conference schedule is largely a joke. The rivalry game at Kentucky is the only true test, and I think after that bitter loss last year Louisville will try to bury the Wildcats in front of their own fans.
In the ACC, they avoid the two best teams in the Coastal — Virginia Tech and Miami.
The Cardinals have pretty good timing of where games fall. They are catching North Carolina and Clemson early in the season when they are still working in new quarterbacks. Taking Louisville over Clemson doesn’t seem as crazy to me as it does to the voters. I will take Jackson against Kelly Bryant, a depleted receiver corps, and no Wayne Gallman.
The one maybe surprising loss to some will be at NC State in Week 6. That will be a Thursday night game in Raleigh. Those are the Wolfpack’s favorite. The crowd is always insane, and things get weird. Just ask Florida State. NC State has already planned a blackout for the occasion.
Next: 10 QBs with the best chance to win the Heisman in 2017
Will Louisville fade down the stretch yet again? Or will Lamar Jackson bring Louisville its first ACC Title and a trip to the College Football Playoff?